§ 66. Mr. SEXTONasked the Minister of Health the number of vacant houses for sale in the cities and towns in England, Scotland and Wales, and which the owners refuse to let at a weekly, monthly, or quarterly tenancy?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINStatistics on this point are not available, and I am afraid they could not readily be obtained.
§ 71. Mr. PARKINSONasked the Minister of Health if he has information as to the number of empty houses in Great Britain; if so, what is the number; and whether, in view of the present acute housing shortage, he will introduce legislation to compel the owners of such houses to convert them into working-class dwellings?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINStatistics are not available showing the number of empty houses in Great Britain. As regards the last part of the question, the Bill before the House contains provisions enabling local authorities to facilitate the conversion of houses into separate flats.